Clovis man stabbed to death

Second homicide of 2000 for the New Mexico town

CLOVIS, N.M. - Richard "Chad'' Smith, 30, of Clovis died early Wednesday morning after being stabbed by a 25-year-old acquaintance, police said.

The suspect, Chris Harris, also of Clovis, was arrested a few hours after the 1 a.m. stabbing. He was charged Wednesday with an open count of murder and for tampering with evidence, police said.

He remained at the Curry County Adult Detention Center on Wednesday on $500,000 bond.

Smith was taken to Plains Regional Hospital, where he died about an hour after the stabbing, police said.

Clovis police said the two men had been with friends Tuesday in the 1700 block of Glenarm in Clovis. Witnesses told police that the suspect left the residence and returned about 1 a.m. Wednesday and confronted Smith.

Witnesses told police that the accused killer then struck Smith. A witness stepped between the men, but the suspect reached around the witness and stabbed Smith in the upper back, witnesses told police.

The suspect left the scene and was soon caught by police in the 100 block of Pinon in Clovis, police said.

Police said they have not determined a motive in the stabbing. The investigation was ongoing Wednesday.